Timing means for providing timed output signals

ABSTRACT

A TIMING MEANS INCLUDES A TIMING MOTOR FOR DRIVING AN OUTPUT SIGNAL MEANS THROUGH AN INTERRUPTABLE CLUTCH. THE OUTPUT SIGNAL MEANS HAS A PROGRAMMER WHICH IS USED TO ADJUST THE DURATION OF THE OUTPUT SIGNALS. THE TIMING MEANS MAY BE OPERATED ON CYCLICAL BASIS AND INCLUDES MEANS FOR INITIATING THE OPERATION OF THE TIMING MEANS AT A DESIRED TIME DURING THE CYCLE.

United States Patent Inventor Lambert W. Fleekenstein [56] References Cited 4 .5."! Street UNITED STATES PATENTS App No 33:" 3,125,695 3/1964 Searle 74/3.54x' Filed 6 1969 3,170,330 2/1965 Remecke 74/152 Patented June 28, 1971 Primary ExaminerMi|ton Kaufman Attorney-Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall TIMING MEANS FOR PROVIDING TIMED OUTPUT SIGNALS ABSTRACT: A timing means includes a timing motor for dnving an output signal means through an interruptable clutch. 0.8. CI 74/354, The output signal means has a programmer which is used to 200/38 adjust the duration of the output signals. The timing means Int. Cl F16n 5/76 may be operated on cyclical basis and includes means for in- Field ot'Seareh 74/352, itiating the operation of the timing means at a desired time 3.54, 3.5; 200/38 (B-l 38 (B) during the cycle.

77 M4 /40 436 55 Z /03- A48 45 75 5a 40 4/ T I r Y 22 l r so ,1" M Q i 7 Q I 5 v 7a -.j 7 m 72 -75 a, g w 20 9 f 7/ w w a; 84 04 74 69 ms TIMING MEANS FOR PROVIDING TIMED OUTPUT SIGNALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to timing means of the motor driven type.

2. Description of the Prior Art The timing means of the present invention may be utilized to provide repetitive series of sequential, timed output signals. A common application of such a timing means is controlling the regeneration or recharging operation of a water softener, and although the invention is described, in an exemplary manner, in such an environment, it must be clearly understood that the invention is by no means limited solely to such use.

A typical water softener includes a tank, interposed in the water system, containing abed of ion exchange material for removing the materials, particularly in solution iron, which cause the hardness in the water. The ion exchange material must be periodically rejuvenated or regenerated to maintain its ion exchange characteristics. Typically, the water softener is regenerated once a day, generally in the middle of the night when the water system is not in use. A timing means is thus needed which will repetitively initiate the regeneration of the water softener once every 24 hours, It is desirable to have a timing means which may be adjusted to initiate the regenerating operation at a desired time of each day and to omit the regenerating operation on certain days.

A typical regenerating procedure or cycle of the type well known in the prior art includes a series of sequential steps which restore the ion exchange characteristic of the ion exchange material. Such a cycle starts with a back wash step which circulates water in the reverse direction through the tank to loosen and expand the material and to remove any dirt lodged therein. This back wash step takes from to l5 minutes or longer, depending on the size of the tank, flow rates involved, and the like. Next, a brine solution is injected into the material. The brine is then washed from the ion exchange material for up to 40 minutes. The brining and rinsing step performs the regeneration of the ion exchange material and rinses out the brine to insure the absence of a saline taste in the softened water. A rapid rinse step lasting for from 5 to l0 minutes and which removes any pockets of brine remaining in the material usually completes the regeneration cycle. Other steps may, of course, be included in the cycle if desired. Control of the aforesaid procedure is usually obtained by a motor operated valve interposed between the tank and the various water sources, brine sources, and the like. I

The water softener timing means is thus required to not only repetitively or cyclically initiate the regenerative process but also to control the operation of the aforesaid valve by providing a sequential series of timed output signals which are used to place the valve in its back wash, brining, and rinse positions tank.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It is, therefore the object of the present invention to provide an improved timing means which provides a repetitive series of sequential, timed output signals suitable for control or other purposes.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a timing means affording a repetitive series of sequential, timed output signals having an improved means for adjusting the timing of said signals.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an improved timing means containing a means for manually initiating the sequential output signals and for preventing accidental initiation thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a timing means incorporating an improved clutch for coupling a timing'motor in the timing means to a means providing the timed output signals.

Briefly, the present invention provides an improved timing means for providing timed output signals having a base memb er with a timing motor mounted thereon.

An interruptable clutch is also mounted on the base member with a driven member including an output shaft and a driving member drivingly connected to said timing motor. The driven member is selectively couplable to said driving member for providing timed rotation to said output shaft from said timing motor about the axis of said output shaft.

Trigger means engageable with the clutch are provided for selectively coupling the driven member to the driving member and for interrupting the coupling of the driven member from the driving member.

Cam means are mounted on the output shaft coaxially therewith. The cam means includes at least a pair of peripheral camming projections arcuately movable about the axis of the output shaft with respect to each other to preselected arcuately spaced positions. An output signal means sequentially operatively engageable by the camming projections as said output shaft rotates is utilized for providing timed output signals responsive to the timed rotation of said output shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top view of the timing means of the present invention showing various elements thereof;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the timing means of the present invention showing additional elements thereof and showing a clutch incorporated in the timing means, portions of said clutch being shown as cut away to reveal the clutch in the disengaged condition;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the timing means, similar to the view of FIG. 2, showing certain elements of the timing means in cross section and showing the clutch with portions thereof removed to show the clutch in the engaged condition;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the irregular line 4-4 of FIG. I and incorporating the centers of various elements of the timing means;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the clutch incorporated in the timing means of the present invention showing various elements of the clutch in detail, the view being taken with the clutch in the inverted position, as shown in FIG. 2, to better reveal the details of the clutch elements;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detailed cross-sectional view of the clutch showing the clutch undergoing disengagement;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a programmer for adjusting the duration of the sequential, timed output signals of the timing means;

FIG. 8 is a side view of electric switch means which are incorporated in the timing means of the present invention, said view being taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a programmer for adjusting the duration of the sequential, timed output signals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Introduction Turning now to the F IGS., there is shown therein, the timing means 10 of the present invention including a base member I2 on which the various elements of the timing means are mounted. As noted supra, timing means 10 is illustratively shown in an embodiment suitable for controlling the regeneration of a water softener and thus is designed to provide sequential, timed output signals at a desired time during preselected 24 hour periods or days.

Timing means 10 includes a timing motor I8 mounted on the underside of base member 12 which serves as a motive power source for the timing means. The timing motor 18 drives an output signal means 31 through interruptable clutch 14. When coupled to timing motor 18 through clutch 14, output signal means 31 provides the timed output signals of the timing means by means of programmer 34. Programmer 34 also adjusts the duration of the output signals and controls the regenerative cycle of the water softener.

The operation of clutch 14 is controlled by skip wheel 73 which determines the days on which timing means will be rendered operative. Skip wheel 73 is so called because it permits the operation of the timing means and the regeneration of the water softener to be omitted or skipped" on preselected days. The time of day at which the timed output signals are provided and the regeneration of the water softener commences is controlled by time wheel 134 which is driven from timing motor 18 and which operates skip wheel 73.

The Timing Motor 19, see FIG. 3, which drives gear joumaled in base member 12.

The Clutch Gear 20 powers the driving member of clutch 14. Clutch 14 couples the driving member, powered by timing motor 18 through gears 19 and 20, to a driven member containing programmer 34 which coacts with output signal means 31 to provide the sequential timed output signals. Clutch 14 is of the interruptable type which is engaged and disengaged by the operation of trigger bar 26 as hereinafter described. Clutch 14 preferably incorporates at least two members, arcuately movable with respect to each other, which are utilizable for the engagement and disengagement of the clutch. The relative arcuate movement of the two members is controlled by trigger bar 26.

The driving member of clutch 14 includes a gear 82 which is driven by timing motor 18 through gears 19 and 20, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Gear 82 is rotatably mounted on the underside of base member 12 by bushing 83 so as to lie adjacent base member 12. An output shaft 80 of clutch 14 may be rotatably joumaled inside bushing 83 so as to lie along the axis of gear 82.

Gear 82 includes collar 84 and circular plate 88 which are afi'ixed to the gear. Circular plate 88 has a slightly smaller radial dimension than collar 84. The outer periphery of circular plate 88 contains a plurality of notches or teeth 90 which are used in the engagement and disengagement of clutch 14, in a manner hereinafter described. The aforesaid elements of clutch 14 comprise the driving member thereof.

The driven member of clutch 14 includes an annulus or disc 92 rotatably positioned on collar 84 in radial alignment therewith so as to be positioned axially above gear 82 and below circular plate 88 when the clutch is viewed as in the exploded view of FIG. 5. Disc 92 may hereinafter, and in the claims, be called the first disc. The radial dimension of first disc 92 exceeds that of circular plate 88. A pawl 94 is pivotally mounted on the upper surface of disc 92, see FIG. 5, and near the perimeter thereof so as to be engageable with the peripheral teeth 90 of circular plate 88 mounted just above disc 92.

Pawl 94 is mounted on pin 96 of first disc 92. A projection 98 on pawl 94 is suitable for engaging teeth 90 when pawl 94 is pivoted toward circular plate 88. A pin 100 extends from the exposed surface of pawl 94 for coaction with camming surfaces, hereinafter described, which move pawl 94 into and out of engagement with teeth 90.

First disc 92 is connected to output shaft 80. In the presently preferred embodiment of clutch 14, disc 92 is connected to the output shaft 80 through power transmission cap 102 which is keyed to the end of output shaft 80 and affixed thereto by means of washer 103 and bolt 105. A pin 104, affixed to first disc 92, extends through a hole in cap 102 to provide the desired connection of disc 92 to output shaft 80.

A second disc 106 is rotatably mounted on bushing 83 above first disc 92 and circular plate 88 and below cap 102. Second disc 106 includes stop 108 for engaging trigger bar 26 which initiates the operation of clutch 14. With clutch 14 in the disengaged condition, trigger bar 26 is positioned in the path of stop 108 to restrain the rotation of second disc 106. See FIG. 2.

Pin 104, connecting first disc 92 to cap 102, extends through arcuate slot 110 in second disc 106 so that second disc 106 rotates with first disc 92. However, limited arcuate reciprocal movement between discs 92 and 106 is possible within the limits imposed by the length of slot 110. A spring 112 is positioned in slot 110 to provide a force on pin 104 which tends to move pin 104 into one end of slot 110. A bottom wall 113 may be provided through a portion of slot 110 to assist in retaining spring 112 in the slot.

A portion of the periphery of cap 102 contains a series of ratchet teeth 93 in which may be inserted pawl 95. Pawl 95 is pivotally mounted on base member 12 in journal 28 which also journals trigger bar 26, and is biased into contact with cap 102 by spring 97. Paw] 95 and teeth 93 prevent the driven member of clutch 14 from rotating in a clockwise direction when viewed as in FIGS. 2 and 3. The teeth are arcuately positioned on the periphery of cap 102 so that pawl 95 will engage them when clutch 14 is in the disengaged condition. This necessitates positioning the teeth with respect to stop 108 which controls the engagement and disengagement of clutch 14. Teeth 93 may be placed on other portions of the driven member of clutch 14, such as first disc 92 or output shaft and pawl positioned accordingly.

Second disc 106 is reciprocally movable relative to first disc 92 to effect the engagement and disengagement of clutch 14. Second disc 106 contains a cutout portion, or hole, 115 through which pin of pawl 94 extends. A side of the eutout portion forms a first camming surface 112 for moving pawl 94 into engagement with peripheral teeth 90 of circular plate 88 in a manner hereinafter described.

A T-shaped trough 119 is positioned along one side of hole and includes a notch 115a which is an extension of hole 115. A bar 118 having a camming surface 116 lies in the cross of T-shaped trough 119 while spring 120 is inserted in the stem of the trough. Spring 120 biases bar 118 against surfaces 121 and 123. The camming surface 116 of bar 118 is used to move pawl 94 out of engagement with peripheral teeth 90 of circular plate 88.

The Output Signal Means Turning now to FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the output signal means 31 driven by clutch 14 is shown therein. Output signal means 31 includes one or more limit switches which provide electrical output signals from timing means 10, and programmer 34 for operating the limit switches to program the length or duration of the output signals. FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment of programmer 34.

In the present exemplary embodiment of timing means 10, output signal means includes a pair of limit switches. Limit switch 31a may be a double pole, double throw switch which is moved between first and second throw positions to provide the electrical output signals to the water softener solenoid valve (not shown) by means of conductors 33. An additional limit switch 31b may be provided in the output signal means. This limit switch remains closed during the provision of the electrical signals from limit switch 31a to insure that a live line, conductor 33a is provided to the motor driven valve under all operating conditions. Limit switches 31a and 31b may be placed one on top of the other on base member 12 and bolted to the base member, as shown most clearly in FIG. 8.

An actuating means is provided for limit switch 31a to move it between its throw positions. This means may comprise resilient, spring members 36 and 37 which are movable to shift the plunger 38 of limit switch 31a. Spring member 36 is mounted on limit switch 31a so as to be movable toward the body of the limit switch to depress the plunger 38 and place the limit switch in the first throw position. An internal spring in limit switch 31a is used to restore plunger 38 to the raised state and switch 31a to the second throw position when spring member 36 is moved away from the body of limit switch 31a.

Spring member 37 is mounted below limit switch 31a and has an upwardly extending lip 39 which is insertable into the path of spring member 36 so as to retain spring member 36 against the body oflimit switch 31a and limit switch 31a in the first throw position, as shown in FIG. 8. Spring member 37 may be depressed toward base member 12 to allow movement of spring member 36 away from the body of limit switch 310 to raise plunger 38 and place limit switch 31a in the second throw position. Spring member 37 is retained in the depressed state when spring member 36 springs away from the body of limit switch 31a as the upper edge of lip 39 rests on the lower edge of spring member 36, as shown in FIG. 1. A follower surface 48 is provided on spring member 37 to aid in moving it toward base member 12, as hereinafter described. Spring member 35 maybe used to operate limit switch 31b in a manner similar to that in which spring member 36 operates limit switch 31a.

The output shaft 80 of clutch 14 mounts the programmer 34 which is used to operate the aforesaid spring means and limit switches 31a and 31b as output shaft is rotated by timing motor 18 through engaged clutch l4. Programmer 34 includes camming collar 40 mounted on spacer 41 of output shaft 80,

adjacent base member 12, which may be used to operate' spring member 35 to actuate limit switch 31b. Camming collar 40 includes fall 210. The remainder of the programmer comprises a stack of thin discs having camming projections extending therefrom which are used to operate spring members 36 and 37 and actuate limit switch 31a. Spacer 41 raises the discs to the level necessary to operate spring members 36 and 37.

Camming disc 43 is mounted on output shaft 80 so as to abut spacer 41. A pin 42 is located on spacer 41 for positioning camming disc 43 with respect to camming collar 40 so as to synchronize the operation of camming collar 40 and the camming discs. Camming projection 44 extends from the edge of camming disc 43 for engagement with spring member 36 when output shaft 80 is rotated. Camming projection 44 moves spring member 36 against the body of limit switch 31a to depress plunger 38 to place the limit switch in the first throw position. The signal generated by limit switch 31a when in the first throw position operates the motor driven valve to commence the backwash portion of the regenerating cycle. A portion of the perimeter of camming disc 43 includes a plurality of arcuately spaced indicia 50 which are used to set the length of time interval during which limit switch 31a remains in the first throw position. As such, the indicia may indicate a timing interval of to 30 minutes in 1 minute increments. For convenience in setting the length of the timing interval, the indicia may be numbered at minute intervals. The arcuate spacing of the indicia 50 is correlated to the rotary speed of output shaft 80 so that the spacing indicates the are through which the shaft and camming disc 43 will travel during the time interval. A washer 45, keyed to output shaft 80 and having serrations 45a on one annular surface thereof, is provided on top of camming'disc 43.

A second camming disc is also provided on output shaft 80. Camming disc 46 is similar to camming disc 43 except that the camming projection 47 extends downwardly from camming disc 46 for engaging the follower surface 48 on spring member 37 for depressing the spring member and allowing spring member 36 to move away from the body of limit switch 31a so that the limit switch assumes the second throw position. The signal generated by limit switch 31a when in the second throw position terminates the backwash step of the regenerative cycle and commences the brining and rinsing step. Camming disc 46 includes window 49 through which the indicia 50 on camming disc 43 may be read and the time interval during which limit switch 31a remains in the first throw position set by rotating camming disc 46 with respect to camming disc 43 to provide a desired arcuate spacing between camming projections 44 and 47. Window 49 may be provided by piercing camming disc 46 along three sides of the window and bending the flap so formed upwardly along the fourth side. An index line 49a is provided on the edge of window 49. A plurality of arcuately spaced indicia 58 are also provided along a portion of the perimeter of camming disc 46.

Radial grooves 51 are cut into the underside of camming disc 46 to mate with serrations 45a on washer 45, so that when washer 45 is pressed against camming disc 46, the camming disc is prevented from rotating about output shaft 80. A second washer 53, keyed to output shaft and having serrations 53a on one'annular surface thereof, is provided on top of camming disc 46.

Camming disc 54 is formed in much the same manner as camming disc 43 in that it includes camming projection 55 extending from the edge thereof for moving spring member 36 to place limit switch 31a in the first throw position. The signal generated when limit switch 310 is again placed in the first throw position terminates the brining and rinsing step and commences the rapid rinse step. Camming disc 54 has a window 56 having an index line 57 on which the indicia 58 on camming disc 46 may be read and the time interval during which limit switch 31a remains in the second throw position set by rotating camming disc 54 with respect to camming disc 46. A portion of camming disc 54 may be cut away to prevent obstruction of window 49. Radial grooves 60 are provided on the underside of camming disc 54 to mate with serrations 53a on washer 53 to prevent camming disc 54 from rotating when the washer is pressed against the disc. A third washer 61, keyed to output shaft 80 and having serrations 62 on one annular surface thereof, is provided on top of camming disc 54.

The last camming disc 63 is formed in a manner similar to camming disc 46 to include depending camming projection 64 for moving spring member 37 to place limit switch 31a in the second throw position to terminate the regeneration cycle and place the motor operated valve in service position. Camming disc 63 has a window 65 for reading the indicia 59 on camming disc 54 at index line 65a and radial grooves 66 which prevent rotation of camming disc 63 by coaction with serrations 62 on washer 61. A portion of camming disc 63 may be cut away to prevent obstruction of window 56. An additional washer 67 having serrations 68 may be placed on top of camming disc 63.

Spring 69, hearing on washer 67, fits inside cap 70 and is held in the compressed state by bolt 71 which is threaded into the end of output shaft 80,as shown in FIG. 4.

In its normal operating state, 'bolt 71 is threaded into the end of output shaft 80 by an amount sufficient to bring the edges of cap 70 to bear on washer 67 and to compress the stack of cams between the cap and camming collar 41. The compressive forces exerted. on each of the camming discs, meshes the serrations on the bottom of discs 43, 46, 54 and 63 in the serrations on the underlying washers 45, 52, 61, and 67. As the washers are keyed to output shaft 80, the enmeshment of the serrations on the discs with the serrations on the washers prevents the camming discs from rotating with respect to the output shaft and fixes the respective arcuate positions of the camming projections and the time intervals between sequential operation of limit switch 31a by the camming projections.

To adjust the arcuate positions of the camming discs 43, 46, 54, and 63 and their respective camming projections 44, 47, 55, and 64, bolt 71 is loosened, removing the compressive forces on the camming discs and releasing them from washers 45, 52, 61 and 67. This frees the camming discs to rotate on output shaft 80. However, spring 69 exerts a mild compressive force on the camming discs which prevents accidental alteration of the position of the discs. The discs may be deliberately moved by grasping the flaps used to form windows 49, 56, and 67 and rotating the discs on output shaft 80. If one of the discs is moved to alter one of the timing intervals, it may be necessary to move others of the discs to retain the same relative arcuate position of the remaining camming discs and projections.

For example, if camming disc 46 is moved to alter the position of camming projection 47 with respect to camming projection 44 of camming disc 43, it will be necessary to alter the position of camming discs 54 and 63 to retain the same relative position between camming projection 47 and camming projections 55 and 64. After adjustment, bolt 71 is retightened to lock the camming discs in position.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment 34a of programmer 34 in which like elements are identified by similar numerals. Programmer 34a is constructed and operates in much the same manner as programmer 34 with the exception that the adjustment of the position of one of the camming discs about shaft 80, to set an output signal time interval, moves all of the camming discs on top of the rotated disc a similar'amount so that subsequent output signal timing intervals are not altered by the adjustment of the one of the camming discs. For this purpose, means are provided to adjustably lock each of the camming discs to the camming disc next below it in the stack.

Specifically, camming disc 43 on the bottom of the stack contains a plurality of arcuately spaced notches 220 along the outer edge thereof. Camming disc 46, lying next above camming disc 43 in the stack includes a resilient or spring member 222 lying along the upper surface thereof. Member 222 has a downwardly extending catch 224 which extends into notches 220 and an upwardly extending handle 226 by which member 22 may be raised off the surface of camming disc 46 to remove catch 224 from notches 220. The end of member 222 adjacent output shaft 80 is retained on the surface of camming disc 46, as by spot welding or by the force exerted on the inner portion of the member by the other camming discs in the assembled stack. Camming disc 46 contains notches 229 along a portion of its perimeter.

In a similar manner camming disc 54 has resilient member 230 lying along the upper surface having downwardly extending catch 232 which engages notches 229 and upwardly extending handle 234 by which member 230 may be raised off the surface of camming disc 54 to remove catch 232 from notches 229. Catch 232extends downwardly only the distance necessary to engage notches 229. It does not extend into notches 220. Camming disc 54 contains peripheral notches 236.

Camming disc 63 has resilient member 238 positioned on the upper surface thereof with downwardly extending catch 240 engaging notches 236 and upwardly extending handle 242.

To change the arcuate spacing between camming projection 44 on disc 43 and camming projection 47 on camming disc 46, member 222 is raised by means of handle 226 so that catch 224 is removed from notches 220 in camming disc 43. This frees camming disc 46 to rotate on output shaft 80 so that camming projection 47 may be positioned the desired arcuate distance from camming projection 44. When camming disc 46 has been moved the desired amount, handle 226 is released to reinsert catch 224 in notches 220, thus locking the two camming discs together,

As camming disc 46 is rotated, camming discs 54 and 63 are rotated with it because of the locking action provided to camming disc 54 by the engagement of catch 232 in notches 229 and to camming disc 63 by the engagement of catch 240 in notches 236. This retains the relative arcuate spacing of camming projections 47, 55, and 64 and the output signal time intervals regulated by these camming projections. It has been found convenient to cut notches 220, 229, 236 in the respective discs so that the arcuate spacing of the notches represents a desired incremental rotation of output shaft 80 with respect to time. For example, the spacing between each of the notches 220 and between each of the notches 239 may represent two minutes or rotation of output shaft 80. The finer spacing of notches 236 represents one minute of output shaft rotation. This spacing of the notches assists in setting the time intervals of programmer 34a.

As the camming discs of programmer 34a are retained in arcuate position by the aforesaid locking means, serrated washers 45,52, 61, and 67, spring 69, cap 70, and bolt 71 may be dispensed with and the stack of cams held together by spring loaded washer 244 and retaining ring 246.

The Skip Wheel Timing means 10 includes a means for initiating the series of timed output signals of the timing means by coupling the driven member of clutch 14 to the driving member thereof. For this purpose, a cylinder 73 is mounted in bushing 72 of base member 12 and retained therein by retaining washer 74. See FIG. 4. Cylinder 73 has heretofore been termed the skip wheel as it allows operation of the timing means to be omitted or skipped" on certain days. Skip wheel 73 is illustratively shown as establishing a 12 day operating cycle and for this purpose the upper end of skip wheel 73 includes a flange having l2 peripherally spaced angular projections 75 extending from the axis of cylinder 73 parallel to base member 12. Angular projections 75 are employed to rotate skip wheel 73 in a manner hereinafter described.

Twelve equally spaced grooves 200 are provided about the cylindrical surface of skip wheel 73. A spring loaded detent 202 is positioned on base member 12 in housing 204, adjacent skip wheel 73, so that detent 202 lodges in grooves 200 as skip wheel 73 is rotated, to assist the positioning of the skip wheel.

The cylindrical surface of skip wheel 73 also includes 12 axially extending radial slots 76 adjacent each of the angular projections 75 and between grooves '200. As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, a strip 77 is slideably positioned in each of grooves 76 for movement parallel to the axis of cylinder 73. A cut out portion or notch 78 is provided on each of strips 77 in which is positioned O-ring 79 girdling cylinder 73. O-ring 79, which may be positioned in a circumferential slot in cylinder 73, serves to limit the axial movement of strips 77 to the length of slots 79 and to retain the strips in grooves 76. An additional notch 103 is provided in the portion of each of strips 77 extending above the flange on cylinder 73 to aid the grasping of the exposed ends of strips 77 when it is desired to move them in slots 76.

A circumferential slot 132v is provided in bushing 72 adjacent the lower portion of strips 77. One end of trigger bar 26 extends into the circumferential slot 132 in bushing 72 so that the end of trigger bar 26 lies in the path of the lower end of strips 77 as cylinder 73 is rotated. The end of trigger bar is struck by strips 77 when cylinder 73 is rotated and is thus moved about pivot 28.

The Time Wheel Time wheel 134 is used to provide an increment of rotation to skip wheel 73 at a desired time of the day. The time wheel is mounted on base member 12 in bushing 135. A cap 136 is rotatably mounted on the outside of the bushing by means of sleeve 138 which extends along the exterior of bushing 135. Shaft 140 having collar 142 on the lower end thereof is positioned inside bushing and extends through cap 136. The upper end of shaft is retained in cap 136 by retaining washer 144. A coil spring 146 is located inside bushing 135 between an overhanging lip 148 of bushing 135 and collar 142 of shaft 140.

A gear 150 is mounted on the lower portion of collar 138 of cap 136. Gear 150 engages gear 22 which is mounted on the common shaft 220 which also drives the driven member of clutch 14. See FIG. 4. Shaft 22a is driven by timing motor 18 through gears 19 and 20. Time wheel 134 is rotated l revolution every 24 hours by means of the engagement of gear 150 in gear 22. Gear 150 may be moved out of engagement with gear 22 by raising cap 136 against the force generated by spring 146. Gear 150 contains tang 152 so mounted on the periphery thereof as to strike angular projections 75 of skip wheel 173 as gear 150 revolves. A 24 hour time dial 154 is positioned on base member 12 adjacent gear 150.

An indicator disc 156 is positioned on collar 138 below cap 136 and retained in abutment with cap 136 by circular spring 158. A pointer 160 on indicator disc 156 is provided along the periphery of the indicator disc. Window 162 is located adjacent pointer 160 so as to provide a means for reading a 24 hour time dial 164 located on gear 150 just below indicator disc 156.

Operation Prior to the operation of timing means 10, the various timing cycles and output signal timing intervals of the timing means are selected and preset. This includes selection of the days on which the timer will operate, the hour of the days so selected at which the operation of the timer will commence, and the length of the timing output signal intervals generated during the operation of the time.. In the present operative environment wherein timing means 10 controls the regeneration of a water softener, the aforesaid selection comprises the choice of the days on which regeneration will occur, the time at which regeneration will commence, and the duration of each step in the regeneration cycle.

The days of the '12 day operating cycle established by skip wheel 73 on which the timing means 10 is to operate are selected by pushing strips 77 to the bottom of grooves 76, as shown on the right-hand side of skip wheel 73 in FIG. 4, so that the lower portion of strips 77 strike trigger bar 26 as the skip wheel is rotated. The omitted days, or the days on which timing means 10 is not to operate, are selected by raising strips 77 in slots 76, as shown on the left-hand side of skip wheel 73 in FIG. 4, so that the lower ends of strips 77 pass over trigger bar 26.

The time of day at which timing means 10 will be rendered operative and the water softener regenerative cycle will start is selected by time wheel 134. To set time wheel 134, indicator disc 156 is rotated on collar 138 of cap 136 until a number of 24 hour time dial 164 corresponding to the desired time at which the operation of timing means 10 is to commence appears in window 162. In the example of FIG. 1, the desired regenerative cycle starting time is 3 am. and disc 156 has been rotated to a position wherein a number corresponding to 3 am. appears in window 162. Next, the entire time wheel 134 is rotated by grasping cap 136 and raising the assembly off base member 12 against the force generated by spring 146. This removes gear 150 from enmeshment with gear 22 and allows the gear and the remaining portions of time wheel 134 to rotate freely in bushing 135. The height of gear 22 may be such that when time wheel 134 is raised by an amount sufficient to remove gear 150 from enmeshment with gear 22, it is also raised sufficiently to permit tang 152 to pass over projections 75 on skip wheel 73 as time wheel 134 is rotated.

Time wheel 134 is rotated so that pointer 160 points to the time of day on 24 hour time dial 154 at which the timing means 10 is being preset. Referring again to FIG. 1, timing means 10 is being preset at 7 pm. so that pointer 160 points to 7 pm. on 24 hour time dial 154. Time wheel 134 is then lowered toward base member 12, assisted by spring 146, so that gear 150 reengages gear 22 to drive time wheel 134. Time wheel 134 is now set to cause tang 152 to incrementally rotate skip wheel 73 at 3 a.m. or 3 hours after the 7 pm. presetting time. This may be confirmed by noting that tang 152 is located over the 9 am. FIG. on time dial 154 whereas the projection 75 that tang 152 will strike is located at approximately the pm. position on the same time dial. As gear 150 rotates one revolution every 24 hours, it will then take tang 152, the prescribed eight hours, 7 pm. to 3 am, to traverse the arcuate distancebetween its present position and the position in which it will engage projection 75.

Programmer 34 is adjusted, as described supra, to regulate the time intervals during which output signals are provided from limit switch 310 and during which the various steps of the water softener regenerating cycle are carried out. In the illustration of FIG. 1, the back wash step of the cycle lasts for l0 minutes as noted from the numeral 10 appearing under index line 49a of window 49 on disc 46. The brining and rinsing step lasts for 35 minutes as noted from the numeral 35 appearing under index line 57 of window 56 on disc 54. The rapid rinse step lasts for 10 minutes as noted by the numeral l0 appearing under index line 65a of window 65.

Timing means 10 is now completely preset and ready for operation. The timing means is connected to a source of electrical power, not shown, to energize timing motor 18. Timing motor 18 rotates gears 20 and 22 which in turn rotate both gear 150 of time wheel 134 and gear 82 of the driving member of clutch 14. The rotation of gear 150 moves tang 152 in a clockwise direction when the timing means is viewed as in FIG. 1.

At the appointed hounof 3 am, tang 152 has moved to a position where it begins to strike one of the angular projections 75 on top of skip wheel 74 and to move the skip wheel in a counter clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, out of the position in which it is held by detent 202. The movement of skip wheel 73 causes the one of strips 77 adjacent the angular projection 75 struck by tang 152 to impinge against the end of trigger bar 26 inserted in slot 132 and to move the trigger bar about pivot 28. As tang 152 continues to move, skip wheel 73 is rotated by an amount necessary to move the impinging strip 77 past trigger bar 26 and place another angular projection 75 in the position in which it can be struck by tang 152 on a subsequent revolution of timing wheel 134. The skip wheel is held in this position by detent 202. If strip 77 is raised, the lower end of the strip passes above the end of trigger bar 26 when projection 75 is struck by tang 152 so that trigger bar 26 is not moved, eliminating this particular day from the operative cycle of timing means'l0. The operation of timing means 10 may be initiated manually by operating handle 26a attached to trigger bar 26 to move the latter about pivot 28.

Prior to the movement of trigger bar 26 which initiates the operation of clutch 14, the clutch is in the disengaged state. Gear 82, driven by timing motor 18, rotates circular plate 88 in a counterclockwise direction when clutch 14 is viewed from the underside of base member 12, as in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. With clutch 14 in the disengaged state, as shown in FIG. 2, i.e. prior to the movement of trigger bar 26, the driven elements of the clutch, including output shaft 80, first disc 92, and cap 102 are stationary. These elements are retained in position by the coaction of ratchet teeth 93 on cap 102 and pawl 95. Pawl 94 is pivoted outward and away from circular plate 88 and teeth 90 so that the pawl is disengaged from the teeth. Pin 100 lies along camming surface 116 of bar 118 which is in abutment with walls 121 and 123 of hole 115. Second disc 106 is also stationary as trigger bar 26 is behind stop 108. Pin 103 is away from the end of slot 110 and spring 112 is compressed. Output shaft and programmer 34 is locked in a stationary state by the combined action of pawl 95 and spring 112 which resist movement of the output shaft in either direction.

When trigger bar 26 is moved from behind stop 108 by the rotation of skip wheel 73, second disc 106 is permitted to rotate in a counterclockwise direction with respect to first disc 92, driven by the force of compressed spring 112 which returns pin 104 toward the end of slot 110, by rotating disc 106. First disc 92 cannot rotate clockwise responsive to the force of compressed spring 112 because of the engagement of pawl 95 in teeth 93 of cap 102. As skip wheel 73 completes its increment of rotation caused by tang 152 striking one of the angular projections 75, trigger bar 26 is released and allowed to ride along the outside of disc 106. The counterclockwise rotation of disc 106 moves camming surface 112 into abutment with pin 100. This pivots pawl 94 inwardly into engagement with peripheral teeth of circular plate 88 so that circular plate 88 drives first disc 92 which rotates output shaft 80 in a counterclockwise direction by means of pin 104 and cap 102. The driving forces exerted on pawl 94 by teeth 90 tend to secure the engagement of the pawl in the teeth. Teeth 93 in pawl do not obstruct the rotation of cap 102 and first disc 92 in the counterclockwise direction.

The rotation of output shaft 80 rotates camming collar 40 and camming discs 43, 46, 54, and 63. As output shaft 80 rotates, camming collar 40 is moved so that fall 210 comes in contact with spring means 35, allowing spring means 35 to move away from the body of switch 31b and plunger 212 to rise for the remainder of the sequential series of timing intervals. This operation of switch means 31b insures that one live line 33a is provided to the motor driven valve on the water softener.

Shortly thereafter, camming projection 44 strikes spring means 36 moving it toward the body of switch 310, depressing plunger 38 and placing switch 31a in first throw position. Placing switch 31a in this position generates an electric signal which operates the water softener motor driven valve to begin the back wash portion of the regenerative cycle. Movement of spring means 36 towards the body of switch 31a allows spring means 37 to rise and inserts lip 39 in the path of spring means 36 so that the spring means is held against the body of switch means 31a and the switch retained in the first throw position even after camming projection 44 has passed spring means 36.

Output shaft 80 continues to rotate as the backwashing of the water softener tank continues during the first timing interval of the sequential series. The continued rotation of output shaft 80 brings depending camming projection 47 of camming disc 46 to a position wherein it strikes follower 48 of spring means 37 and depresses spring means 37 and lip 39. This allows spring means 36 to move away from the body of switch means 31a, placing the limit switch in the second throw position. The electric signal generated by limit switch 31a to the water softener valve when in the second throw position causes the valve to terminate the backwash portion of the regenerating cycle and initiate the brining and rinsing portion of the cycle.

The brining and rinsing step of the water softener regenerative cycle initiated by placing limit switch 31a in the second throw position lasts until camming projection 55 of camming disc 54 strikes spring means 36 to move it toward the body of switch 31a to again place limit switch 310 in the first throw position. Spring means 37 and lip 39 rise to retain spring means 36 against the body of switch 31a and the switch in the first position.'Placing limit switch 31a in the first throw position terminates the brining and rinsing portion of the regenerative cycle and initiates the rapid rinse step of the regenerating cycle;

The operation of switch means 31a to its first throw position initiates the rapid rinse step of the regenerative cycle by operating the water softener valve accordingly. The timing interval during which the rapid rinse step occurs lasts until camming projection 64 of camming disc 63 strikes follower 48 of spring means 37 to depress spring means 37 and allow spring member 36 to move away from the body oflimit switch 31:: to place limit switch 31a in the second throw position. This terminates the rapid rinse step of the regenerative cycle, completes the regenerating cycle and places the motor driven water softener valve in the service position.

Output shaft 80 and programmer 34 continue to rotate after the completion of the series of timed output signals. After the driven elements of clutch 14 have rotated almost one complete revolution, trigger bar 26 abuts stop 108 and prevents rotation of second disc 106. First disc 92 continues to rotate responsive to the driving force provided by circular plate 88 so that the relative motion of second disc 106 containing the camming surfaces for pawl 94, with respect to first disc 92, is clockwise-Pawl 95 begins to engage teeth 93 of cap 102 thereby limiting the direction of rotation of the driven member of clutch 14 to the, counterclockwise direction. The rotation of first disc 92 moves pin 104 away from the end of slot 110 so as to compress spring 112 in preparation for the next engagement of clutch 14. it also moves pin 100 of pawl 94 into abutment with camming surface 116 of bar 118, as shown in FIG. 6.

Further relative rotation of first disc 92 and second disc 106 causes pin 100 of pawl 94 to move bar 118 out of abutment with walls 121 and 123 and rearwardly in trough 119 as pin moves from hole into notch 115a. The movement of bar 118 compresses spring 120. However, the pressure exerted on bar 118 and pin 100 by the compression of spring 120 is insufficient to dislodge pawl 94 from teeth 90 of circular plate 88 because of the greater forces exerted on the latter members by the coupling action between the driving and driven members of the clutch.

Eventually, bar 118 is moved tothe rear of trough 119 by pin 100 and becomes stationary. At this point, the continued relative rotation between first disc 92 and stationary second disc 106 and camming surface 116 moves pawl 94 out of engagement with teeth 90 of circular plate 88 by means of the coaction of pin 100 with camming surface 116. This disengages the clutch. As soon as pawl 94 is disengaged from teeth 90, bar 118 moves forward, driven by compressed spring 120. The coaction of camming surface 116 and pin 100, as bar 118 moves forward, moves pawl 94 further away from teeth 90 and insures the disengagement of clutch 14.

When pawl 94 is moved out of engagement with peripheral teeth 90, clutch 14 is disengaged and disc 92, cap 102, and output shaft 80 cease to rotate. Timing means 10 is thus restored to the starting condition shown in FIG. 1. Teeth 93 and pawl 95 prevent any further movement of disc 92 in the clockwise direction, while spring 112 bearing on pin 104 resists movement of the driven member in the counterclockwise direction. Pawl 94 is retained in the disengaged position while spring 112 is retained in the compressed state ready for further engagement of clutch 14 upon a subsequent operation oftiming means 10.

lclaim:

l. A timing means for providing timed output signals comprising:

a base member having a timing motor mounted thereon;

an interruptable clutch mounted on said base member having a driven member including an output shaft having an axis and a driving member drivingly connected to said timing motor, said driven member being selectively couplable to said driving member for providing timed rotation to said output shaft from said timing motor about the axis of said output shaft;

an actuatable trigger means engageable upon actuation with said clutch for selectively coupling said driven member to said driving member and for interrupting the coupling of said driven member from said driving member;

cam means mounted on said shaft coaxially therewith, said cam means including a plurality of peripheral camming projections, each arcuately movable about the axis of said output shaft with respect to the other projections to a preselected arcuately spaced position, said camming projections forming peripheral portions of a plurality of axially aligned discs located on the axis of the output shaft and rotatable with respect thereto, and wherein one of said discs is fixed to said output shaft and the remainder of said discs include means releasable interlocking said discs for retaining said discs in preselected arcuately spaced positions; and

an output signal means sequentially operatively engageable by said camming projections as said output shaft rotates for providing timed output signals responsive to the timed rotation of said output shaft.

2. The timing means of claim 1 wherein said discs are arranged on said output shaft in a manner such that discs having camming projections sequentially operatively engaging said output signal means are abutting, and said interlocking means releasably locks a one of said discs containing the camming projection initially engaging said output signal means to the disc containing the camming projection engaging said output signal means immediately subsequent to the camming projection on the aforesaid disc, whereby when a one of said discs is moved about the output shaft, the discs containing camming projections engaging the output signal means subsequent to the camming projection on the aforesaid disc are moved with it.

3. The timing means of claim 1 including control means driven by said timing motor for periodically actuating said trigger means for coupling the driving and driven members of said clutch.

4. The timing means of claim 1 wherein said clutch driving member is comprised of a rotatable circular plate drivingly connected to said timing motor and said clutch driven member includes a first disc positioned axially adjacent said circular plate and mounted for rotation coaxially therewith, said first disc being coupled to said output shaft; engagement means operatively associated with said first disc and selectively movable between a first position for coupling said disc to said circular plate to engage said clutch and a second position for decoupling said first disc from said circular plate to disengage said clutch; and a second disc positioned axially adjacent said first disc and mounted for rotation coaxially with said circular plate and first disc, said second disc being rotatable with said first disc while being reciprocally arctiately movable along a limited path relative to said first disc, said second disc containing means for moving said engagement means into the first position during relative reciprocal movement in one direction and moving said means into the second position during relative movement in the other direction, said second disc further including means engageable by said trigger means for controlling the direction of relative rotation of said second disc and the coupling and decoupling of said first disc and circular plate.

5. The timing means of claim 4 wherein said circular plate is joumaled on said base member, said plate being rotatable by said timing motor and having teeth about the periphery thereof; said first disc being joumaled on said base member coaxially with said circular plate, said first disc being axially adjacent said plate and having a greater radial dimension than said circular plate, said engagement means comprised of a pawl pivotally mounted on said first disc at a point located a greater radial distance from the common axis of the first disc and circular plate than the radius of the latter, said pawl being pivotally movable into and out. of engagement with said peripheral teeth of said circular plate, said second disc being joumaled on said base member coaxially with said first disc and axially adjacent said first disc; said clutch further including means linking said second disc to said first disc for rotating the former with the latter while permitting reciprocal arcuate movement of said second disc with respect to said first disc along a limited path, said second disc containing a first camming surface engaging said pawl for pivotally moving said pawl into engagement with the peripheral teeth of said circular plate during limited arcuate movement of said first and second discs in one direction, said second disc containing a second camming surface for moving said pawl out of engagement with the peripheral teeth of said circular plate during relative motion in the other direction between said first and second discs, and a bias means for generating a force aiding said limited relative movement between said discs in one direction and opposing said limited relative movement of the discs in the other direction, the disengagement of said second disc by said trigger means causing said bias means to provide said limited arcuate movement between said first and second discs in one direction for drivingly connecting said first and second discs in one direction for drivingly connecting said first disc to said circular plate to couple said driving member to said driven member for providing timed rotation of said output shaft, the engagement of said second disc by said trigger means effecting relative motion in the other direction between said first and second discs as long as said first disc remains drivingly connected to said circular plate for decoupling said driving member from said driven member.

6. The timing means of claim 1 wherein said trigger means includes means for manually operating said trigger means for coupling said clutch driven member to the clutch driving member. 

